Warm weather and strong competition await the Miami University women’s basketball team in Cancun, Mexico.

The RedHawks are headed south this week for the Caribbean Classic, a showcase event that includes Creighton, Nevada and South Florida.

MU coach Maria Fantanarosa wants her squad to enjoy the trip while understanding its importance.

“It’s going to be an education, and we’re going to get to see a new place, but at the end of the day, it’s all basketball,” Fantanarosa said. “The point of this trip is to get good competition.”

Miami will fly to Mexico today and practice twice before facing Creighton (6-2) on Friday at 3:30 p.m. and Nevada (5-4) on Saturday at 1 p.m. at Palace Resorts. They will be the first regular-season contests outside the United States in program history.

The RedHawks will then visit Duquesne (9-1) on Jan. 5 for their final game before Mid-American Conference play begins at Ball State on Jan. 10.

“These are three good mid-major programs,” Fantanarosa said. “We really wanted to build our preseason with a lot of different teams, but I like us to be challenged more right before the MAC. We’re going to be the underdog in our next three games, and I think that’s really good for our team. I think they’re going to welcome the challenge.”

MU is 6-4 and has won three of its last four games. Injuries have been prevalent since before the season even began — junior forward Erica Almady is questionable for the Classic because of a knee injury.

Fantanarosa said she’s had everybody available for only two games so far, and with players recovering from injuries, the team has yet to be at full strength.

“Because of the injuries, a lot of different players are getting significant playing time,” Fantanarosa said. “I’m hoping that pays off in the long run, but it’s not making our overall progress as quick as I’d like.

“Part of what we do is we develop teams. Sometimes we’re not always patient. Sometimes we let our expectations get ahead of us. But this is a really special group of people. I think we’ve got it in perspective.”

Seniors Courtney Osborn (17.8) and Kirsten Olowinski (11.1) are Miami’s leading scorers. Osborn, who’s also averaging 5.6 assists, 3.8 rebounds and 2.4 steals per game, missed the RedHawks’ win over Massachusetts with a concussion.

Men’s basketball

Miami leads the Mid-American Conference in total attendance (through Monday), thanks to some big crowds away from Millett Hall.

The RedHawks’ eight-game average is 8,173. MU’s home average is just 1,567, compared to 10,375 on the road. That number is inflated by the crowds at North Carolina State (19,065), Louisville (20,258) and Dayton (12,562).

MU’s next four home games will be played with students on break. Miami is off to its third straight 3-5 start.